Alex Stevenson seemed to have the perfect life. She was one of the best catchers in the FCIAC and a three-year starter on Darien High School’s volleyball team. The Blue Wave went 100-0 during her four seasons.
But the smile on the outside often masked what was going on inside, and through a chain of events during the fall of her senior year, Stevenson’s life spiraled out of control. She became addicted to cocaine, stopped going to school and her family was forced into an intervention and sending her away to a rehabilitation program in Utah.
What seemed headed for a tragic ending instead turned into an inspiring one. Through the same indomitable spirit she showed on the volleyball court, and with the love and support of her family, Stevenson brought her life back together. She is currently a student at Fairfield University and aspires to one day be a counselor in the type of wilderness therapy program that proved to be part of her salvation.
I had hoped to shoot a video today to promote the story of Stevenson’s fall and rise that will appear in Sunday’s Advocate, but unfortunately she is home sick with the flu.
Instead, you will have to wait a few days to read about an amazing 19-year-old woman who was noted for her warm smile, lost it and had to go through hell to get it back.
To all readers,
In the aftermath of the publication of the story of Alex Stevenson, a lot of old wounds have unfairly been opened up for the members of the 2007 Darien volleyball team. It has also started to have an impact on the current team, which had nothing to do with the story and is currently in the process of trying to win league and state championships.
Out of respect to everyone, I have removed the blog post I put up after the publication of the story and removed all the comments that were made to this post. I won’t be posting any others.
I regret denying readers a forum to be heard but I think this is the best course to take given events that have since taken place.
Thanks for your understanding,
Dave